Early Parole for Convicted MoVal Rapist Rescinded

MORENO VALLEY, CA — The state Board of Parole Hearings Wednesday rescinded an earlier decision recommending parole for a 68-year-old rapist from Moreno Valley who was sentenced to 170 years in prison in 1994.

The decision means that Cody Woodsen Klemp will remain in custody for now and will be referred back to the board for a future hearing regarding the granting of parole.

In November 2023, the board recommended Klemp's parole under the state's Elderly Parole Program, but Wednesday's hearing was held to determine whether an error was made during the original hearing.

Klemp was convicted in 1994 of 10 counts of rape, 10 counts of oral copulation on a child and 20 counts of committing lewd and lascivious acts on a child, according to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.

"Although this practice of early release is far from unusual these days, considering the inmate's particularly violent criminal history and admissions to the parole board itself, it is shocking that such a release would be considered. It is devastating to victims to relive the trauma when justice was already established several years prior," District Attorney Mike Hestrin said in a statement.

"Our office will continue to combat the early release of incarcerated felons on behalf of victims and public safety. The absurdity of it all is that we should have to fight so hard to convince the parole board that an obviously dangerous rapist should serve the entirety of his previously handed down prison sentence. But that's exactly what we do and will continue to do every day until this madness stops," Hestrin added.

In its November decision, the parole board cited Klemp's "low risk for violence," his age and marketable skills in consideration for finding him suitable for parole. The board agreed to review the decision, in part in response to letters sent by the District Attorney's Office to Gov. Gavin Newsom calling on Kelmp to remain imprisoned.

"Parole hearings are our opportunity to argue against the release of inmates who we believe continue to pose a danger to the community," said Managing Deputy District Attorney Kamaria Henry.

"In recent years, we've noticed an increase in the number of individuals who are found suitable for parole well before they have served their original sentence, despite our arguments that the inmate poses a threat to the community," Henry added.

One of Klemp's victims said that when the board decided to grant his parole last year, she was re-traumatized. She also said she believes he would re-offend if released.

"He will absolutely rape again. He has been committing rapes since he was 18 years old. The only time he did not rape was when he was in prison," the victim told the DA's office.

Related:

Child Rapist's Early Prison Release 'Shocks' Riverside County DA